Jeff Bernard and Dave Villwock were the first two racers on to Doha Bay at the start of the Unlimited testing session and duly created apiece of history by being the first two Hydroplane drivers to take to a stretch of water east of Florida and outside the Americas with theirH1 Unlimited hulls.

“It is a beautiful setting here and a perfect place for a race course,” enthused David. “I had to pinch ourselves when I actually hit the water for the first time today. The last race was over 7,000 miles away and the race in Qatar will decide the outcome of the championship. We will be running slightly tighter into the corners here and a bit closer together, but it should be a great two days’ of racing if we can avoid getting any salt in the turbine engines.”